One Year + Bake Along Week 5

Not because getting married was a horrible idea (it wasn’t) but because this year has been so full of change.

I read somewhere that the reason time starts to go by so quickly is that there is not enough new stimulation in your day-to-day life. Time seems to pass much more slowly as a child because you are learning and experiencing new things almost every day.

The biggest new thing, of course, has been marriage. Even to a couple that was together for quite awhile before exchanging vows, being married has been a new adventure–and the best one! I was more aware of every new monthly anniversary–just like I was in our very first year of dating–and the novelty of it all has been a fun ride.

I could go on and on about my husband and our life, but I’ll just share a few of my favorite memories from they past year with you.

One NOT so great memory is my latest bake in the Bake Off Bake Along (linking with the lovely Amanda and Ala!).

This week was pastry week, the week I’ve been looking forward to the least. The options were danishes, a Bakewell tart, or a phyllo dough showstopper. I almost went for the Bakewell tart, but the obscene price of almonds here quickly turned me away from that notion. I love danishes, so they won.

It was my first time really ever making pastry besides pie crust–which is ironic, because that’s what my so-called puff pastry ended up turning into.

Pie crust.

Hours of folding and rolling and chilling to create supposedly flaky layers and…it had maybe two layers. And it was not flaky. It wasn’t terrible tasting–and the filling was decent–but most definitely not a danish.

I did learn, though, that I have more baking instincts than I thought. As I was making a shortcut version, almost right away I knew the dough wasn’t right. However, I chilled it extra and still rolled it out, and by the end it looked and felt the way it was supposed to. I couldn’t quite shake the nagging feeling that the butter had been too soft, and the dough had blended too easily–and I was right.

Or maybe I was so worried about it I actually made it come true.

Perhaps that’s my superpower. What a thought.

Another few lessons: don’t immediately grab at the “short cut” version when you’ve never made the traditional version. Sometimes things take longer for a reason.

Also, when it’s your first time making pastry, maybe don’t mash four recipes together and think it will be okay. I tried two types of fillings and chose somewhat random baking times and I think that was my problem.

Two failure weeks in a row! Luckily next week is one I’m thrilled about and am actually considering trying out all three challenges.

Happy Anniversary!! What a year it’s been I feel like it was just a few months ago that you were getting married. It’s funny because I feel like when my life is really busy, the days and weeks flyyyy by at a crazy speed but then when you look back, years seem longer because you’ve done so much. It’s a weird combination!

http://www.amyandthegreatworld.com/ AmyMacWorld

So true! Our year has been so full that it just doesn’t feel like a year–more like 5 :). you two will hit the one year next, yay!!

http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki

Happy anniversary to you two traveling love birds:)

http://www.amyandthegreatworld.com/ AmyMacWorld

Thanks, Kaelene! xoxo

https://theredphoneboxtravels.com/ Tanja / The red phone box trav

happy anniversary!

http://www.amyandthegreatworld.com/ AmyMacWorld

Thanks, Tanja!! xoxo

http://whyroamtravel.com/ Andrea @Why Roam?

Happy anniversary you guys!!! xx

http://www.amyandthegreatworld.com/ AmyMacWorld

Thanks, Andrea! Hope all is well and hope to see you soon xo

http://adventitiousviolet.com/ Camila @ AdventitiousViolet

Happy anniversary! And good job on the danish patries!! They look amazing!

http://www.amyandthegreatworld.com/ AmyMacWorld

Aww you’re sweet (both for the anniversary wishes and for the pastry wishes). The pastries were NOT amazing lol 😉 but it was fun to try!

http://www.twofeet-oneworld.com/ Jessi @2feet1world

Congratulations! Love all the pics, you two are just the cutest And the danishes still look pretty tasty to me!

http://www.amyandthegreatworld.com/ AmyMacWorld

Thanks, Jessi! hope all is well! xoxo

HELLO!

Welcome to Amy and the Great World! I'm Amy, the girl behind the blog. I have taught English and traveled as much as possible for the past few years, and I'm currently teaching first grade in Budapest, Hungary. I believe in exploring near and far, wherever you are, and here is where I (hopefully) inspire you to do the same!